Socialite's Infamous 1970s Murder Sparks Sexism Debate in HBO Max Series

In November 2025, HBO Max will premiere the original series "Ângela Diniz: Assassinada e Condenada," which revisits one of Brazil's most notorious murder cases from the 1970s. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Andrucha Waddington, the show examines the killing of popular socialite Ângela Diniz at the hands of her boyfriend, and how her lifestyle choices were used against her in a high-profile trial.

Waddington, known for his work on the hit series "Under Pressure," says the project is a "dream" that his production company Conspiração acquired the rights to in 2019, even before the source podcast "Praia dos Ossos" had aired. The series reunites Waddington with actress Marjorie Estiano, who portrays the titular character.

The show aims to explore how Diniz's predilection for fun and romance was sensationalized in the media, ultimately allowing her boyfriend to avoid conviction through the "legitimate defense of honor" legal argument. This sparked a prominent feminist movement that lasted until the term's abolition in 2021. Waddington emphasizes the need to tell this story from a female perspective, as society remains deeply sexist despite societal progress.

As Brazil's film and TV industry experiences a renaissance, "Ângela Diniz" represents a key part of the country's strategy to strengthen local content with artistic quality and cultural relevance. The series' premiere at the prestigious Rio Film Festival underscores this shift, with the festival's executive director noting how the barriers between film and television have become increasingly porous.